New fish = New rod

[JvTriton]

Went out for an early morning session at Quivira basin today. Had never been, but it looked interesting on Google maps.
There was bait boiling everywhere when I got there so I snapped on a jerkbait and proceeded to catch/snag whatever this guy is.
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He was quite the thrasher, and in the commotion of trying to unhook him I accidentally slipped onto my favorite rod. I had even carved the solid cork butt into an ergonomic one that only fit my hands. RIP's
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If anyone has some recommendations for a ML/M casting rod in the sub-$100 range please share your knowledge. I'm even willing to go up a couple bucks if necessary, but I don't think I can go through the carving process again so it would ideally have the split grip already on there. Thanks in advance for any tips

Remember to hold your favorite rods close tonight. You never know when they will give their last cast.

[galen]

Pacific barracuda you got there. Lots of little ones up at that end of the bay. I have a Shimano Speedmaster from Kmart circa 1987 that I still use almost every trip. All original. I will be bummed if something happens to that one.

[Midnightpass]

Remember to hold your favorite rods close tonight. You never know when they will give their last cast.

... I'll go out and give mine a hug right now. ....
Butch

[Mike M]

[Gotfish?]

This is a great rod for the money, as good as most rods in the $100 range: https://www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-lag7 ... r-rod.html

I use it in the bay for 1/4 ounce jig heads with 6 lb mono. I like the split grip too but most of those rods have minimal foregrip so I add my own with some bicycle handlebar tape and then add a hook holder above that.

[Carpkiller]

Mike M and Gotfish's suggestions are good; the Celilo and Laguna are well-built rods. I have two of the Lagunas that I use for bay fishing. There is also a slightly more expensive ($79 or so) Daiwa Fuego that's available in a Medium action...but the tip is softer than the Laguna's.

[JvTriton]

Thank you all for the suggestions.

[galen]

This is a great rod for the money, as good as most rods in the $100 range: https://www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-lag7 ... r-rod.html

I use it in the bay for 1/4 ounce jig heads with 6 lb mono. I like the split grip too but most of those rods have minimal foregrip so I add my own with some bicycle handlebar tape and then add a hook holder above that.

I have two of these. Picked one up at Big5, fished a few times and got another one. Definitely a solid rod for the lighter baits.